Blackhawks host “Hockey Fights Cancer Night” at the United Center on Saturday

Blackhawks host \u201CHockey Fights Cancer Night\u201D at the United Center on Saturdayfalse

The Chicago Blackhawks, in conjunction with the National Hockey League’s month-long initiative, will host “Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Night” at the United Center on Saturday, October 29, when the team takes on the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Lawson Frank, a 13-year-old from Geneva, who is battling Rhabdomyosarcoma (rab-doh-mahy-oh-sahr-koh-muh) – a rare childhood cancer – will perform the ceremonial puck drop prior to the game. The Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation and the Melanoma Research Foundation will both receive checks for $2,500 from the NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer Grant before the contest. During the game, the Blackhawks Better Halves will be selling pucks signed by a mystery player with proceeds going to the Vera Bradley Foundation, while portions of the proceeds from the Blackhawks silent auction and “split the pot” will benefit Gilda’s Club Chicago. Several cancer-related organizations will also be located throughout the United Center concourse offering information.

Hockey Fights Cancer is a joint initiative founded in December 1998 by the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players' Association to raise money and awareness for hockey's most important fight. It is supported by NHL Member Clubs, NHL Alumni, the NHL Officials' Association, Professional Hockey Trainers and Equipment Managers, corporate marketing partners, broadcast partners and fans throughout North America. To date, more than $12 million has been raised to support national and local cancer research institutions, Children's Hospitals, player charities and local cancer organizations. It is a component of the NHL's "Biggest Assist Happens off the Ice" campaign, the League's long-standing tradition of addressing important social issues in North America and around the world.

Saturday’s game against Columbus can be seen locally on WGN-TV Channel 9 and heard on WGN Radio 720.